Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 3/3/09
Villanova attackman CJ Small came up big Saturday in a huge Wildcat victory.
The freshman from San Diego, Calif., scored his first two career goals to help host Villanova defeat city rival Penn, 14-7, and remain undefeated in the young season.
For his efforts, Small was named the Colonial Athletic Association Rookie of the Week.
Small, a product of La Costa Canyon High, had taken only one shot and had appeared in only one of the first two Wildcat victories. But he tallied his first goal Saturday in a key spot, giving the Wildcats a 9-5 lead midway through the third period.
The goal came after Penn’s Craig Andrzejewski had drawn the Quakers (1-1) within three goals on a man-up situation. Small’s goal sparked a three-goal ‘Nova surge in slightly over three minutes that gave the Wildcats a comfortable 11-5 pad.
Small’s second goal came with eight seconds left in the period to make it 12-6.
Small helped lead La Costa Canyon to three conference championships. He earned All-American in 2008 and had 125 career goals and 132 career assists (school record).
Small’s contributions helped Villanova continue its amazing turnaround from early last year. In 2008 the Wildcats started the season 1-8, but won four of their final six regular-season contests to earn a playoff berth in the CAA.
The Wildcats travel to Binghamton today in a 5:30 start.
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